Misinformation and Disinformation have been one of the major factors militating against preventive and control efforts.
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Information from both online and offline has affected the way we respond to the challenges around us. Information is vital however I can tell you that the way react most times is a direct result of the general information we can gather.
Misinformation comes as a form of information or story that is false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive.
Some of such reports or information however come from unreliable and unverified sources as such does little or not in the steady increase in COVID-19 cases especially within our communities.
It rather tends to further the danger growing around us.
Faced with this reality, can we not predict the pattern of the solution as we might not be well informed?
It is worthy of note that acting on the wrong information can kill. In the first 3 months of 2020, nearly 6 000 people around the globe were hospitalized because of coronavirus misinformation, recent research suggests. During this period, researchers say at least 800 people may have died due to misinformation related to COVID-19 (WHO)
This tragic outcome is what the World Health Organization has termed as infodemic, an overabundance of information — some accurate, some not — that spreads alongside a disease outbreak. False information going to discrediting the threat of COVID-19 to conspiracy theories both on the Pandemic and the roll out of vaccines.
In our digital age infodemics spread like wildfire. They create a breeding ground for uncertainty. Uncertainty in turn fuels skepticism and distrust, which is the perfect environment for fear, anxiety, finger-pointing, stigma, violent aggression and dismissal of proven public health measures — which can lead to loss of life.
In trying to Control this infodemic (Which includes the Misinformation and Disinformation), we must first be able to identifry what amounts to Misinformation and Disinformation.
HOW TO IDENTIFY MISINFORMATION, DISINFORMATION OR FAKE NEWS
- Stories that don’t make sense – stories that are highly improbable.
- Who is the Person giving such information – Check the name of the news site that published it
- Beware faked website addresses
- Look out for headlines that don’t match the story –
- Check the date – When Where What Who Why and How
- The Intention of the Person
- Stories that try to provoke anger
- Look out for hoaxes and fake celebrity accounts
- Google-search the images –
- If you’re unsure, double-check with a source you trust – or professional
- Speak with community leaders about any questions regarding sensitive information you might have heard.
- Beware of statements that generalize all members of a group as behaving negatively. It can’t be true. Even within families, people behave differently.
- If you’re tech-savvy, use different online tools like Google, Bing Tin Eye, and InVid to help determine the authenticity of a picture or a video.
It is therefore our raise the public’s awareness of the volume of misinformation flying around especially when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. We should encourage people to double check information, therefore limiting the damage and spread of false information.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH MISINFORMATION (YOU CAN)
- Think before you share any information: you must think before you share any information and ask yourself if it is true? Is it useful? What reaction will it cause?
- Verify information before spreading it: It very important that one verifies the information that is passed down. One of the best ways of verifying information is by check such information on credible news sources, platforms or calling the source of the information for further clarification.
- If you find the information to be false, delete it – Do not share false information as trying to show others that the information in itself is fake, just simply delete it as any further share will lead to promoting it.
- If possible, leave comments about the information being false to dissuade others from sharing it.
- Be conscious of the power of your words and the violence they can cause when you share information that will provoke anger and hatred.
- Read things through to know if it is true or worth sharing before sharing and forwarding information.
- Try to see people as individuals and don’t give in to stereotypes and generalizations.
- Never use someone’s ethnicity, religion, gender, or occupation as an insult.
- Please distinguish what to share and what to report to the authorities
However we must be proactive about preventive measures in the country include hand washing, use of sanitizers, wearing of face masks and social distancing.
Citizens should also be deliberate in addressing factors that undermined government preventive efforts in enforcing poor compliance attitude, selective obedience, social media interference, misconceptions and myths, stigmatization, fear, inadequate health facilities, and distrust for government.
There is a need to ameliorate the adverse effects of the challenges around us especially as we battle COVID-19. We must encourage more collaboration through evidence-based campaigns using all sources of information of which we as citizens must be front drivers.
ABOUT CONNEXUS:
ConnexUs is a global network and coordination platform that creates a collaborative environment for the peacebuilding, humanitarian, development, and public health fields. Through ConnexUs, practitioners, Influencers, academics, and activists can find out who is working in their community and make real-time connections. The platform offers public discussion forums and private messaging features to help facilitate secure and open knowledge sharing. By harnessing the power of working together online, organisations can fill in gaps and reduce overlap in their programmes and activities.
The project is centered on engagement and learning around preventing the spread of misinformation and disinformation on community challenges and covid19. Additionally, to encourage collaboration among youths, community members, and groups across dividing lines to identify opportunities to foster peace, thereby promoting social cohesion during the pandemic.
With support from the European Union’s Instrument contributing to Stability & Peace, ConnexUs is Partnering with Blogger and Middle belt Nigeria Influencer, Matthew Tegha to amplify his activities, towards Responding to Global & Local Challenges also in amplifying the Voices of other Influencers within his communities and around the World.
